Aldridge, Perno win Lynn Haven Commission seats

Collin Breaux News Herald Reporter @PCNHCollinB

Tuesday

Apr 16, 2019 at 8:41 PMApr 16, 2019 at 8:41 PM

LYNN HAVEN — Two new faces are joining the Lynn Haven City Commission.

Newcomer Brandon Aldridge won Seat 1, while fellow newcomer Pat Perno won Seat 2 in Tuesday’s municipal elections. Both are local business owners — Aldridge owns a manufacturing business in Panama City and Perno the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s in Lynn Haven.

Aldridge was excited when announcing the results to a crowd of supporters at Sonny’s BBQ in Lynn Haven. Aldridge won with about 65% of the vote, while challengers Bob Schultz took 22% and Dale Robitaille 11%.

In total, 1,501 people cast votes in the Seat 1 race.

“I love and care about every one of you guys in this room and it means so much to have every one of you guys here,” Aldridge said. “I’m just blessed. I’m a blessed person. I feel so happy that this election turned out the way it turned out. I have a ton of support. You can’t do this without having people behind you and I have a lot of people behind me, and it meant the world to me to have people come out and vote and support me.”

Aldridge said his goal is to “get in there and get to work and make some things happen.”

Aldridge campaigned on a variety of issues, including focusing on underground utilities and parks.

Despite his loss, Schultz said it was a good election.

“There have to be winners and losers,” Schultz said. “Unfortunately, I came out on the other side.”

Robitaille could not be reached for comment.

Perno won the Seat 2 race with about 64% of the total votes, but could not be reached for comment Tuesday night. His opponent, Pam Hiller, took about 35%. In total, 1,520 residents cast votes in that race.

Hiller called the election a clean race, saying she wished the elected candidates “nothing but the best.”